London Elections manifesto "In London Animals Count too"

With over eight million inhabitants, London is one of the largest cities in Western Europe, and has the largest population of companion animals within the UK.

Over 3.5 million animals in London households are virtually part of the family, yet many animal guardians struggle with the costs of veterinary care.Read more

Why animals count

Millions of animals are exploited every day for food, consumer products, so-called 'sports' or other forms of entertainment, as models for human disease, or are simply neglected.

Issues of concern include intensive farming, animal use in research and testing, inadequate companion animal care and ongoing pressures on wildlife.

The need for a political party for the animals

With power comes responsibility, and as members of the most powerful species it is our duty to minimise the suffering of animals in our care or affected by our actions.

Yet animals are not adequately protected by any existing political party. Instead, they focus on other social issues, and animal issues are rarely taken seriously.

However, many voters share their lives with companion animals, and most do care about animals. Broad concern for animals is a mainstream priority, which is poorly reflected in the policies of most political parties.

Do you want real improvements for animals? Are you disappointed in the current political system? It's time to change!

The UK has a reputation for being the world's leading animal-loving nation. In the 2009 European Parliamentary elections Animals Count can make a difference for billions of animals. But we need your help!

Our vision

A world in which animals are not exploited and are seen and treated as sentient beings.

Our mission

To establish a voice for the animals through a dedicated political party that focuses on respect and compassion for all living beings.

Our aims

As the UK political party most strongly advocating for the protection of animals, the party’s aims are:

To raise the human perception of the moral status of animals by recognising animals as sentient beings.

To raise the legal status of animals to reflect their status as sentient beings, including protection in national and international law.

By promoting animal’s rights, to further respect for all life, whether of humans or animals.

To facilitate increased respect for all sentient life by promoting animal welfare education at all educational levels.

To protect the environment through sustainable farming and development activities.

To promote healthy living.

Farm Animals

To phase out farming systems with poor welfare consequences for animals.

To improve animal welfare by raising farming standards and by removing trade barriers and other measures that encourage poor welfare or husbandry standards.

To support new and old farming methods that enhance animal welfare or reduce use of or dependency on animals.

To phase out livestock farming subsidies in sectors where consumer demand is falling, and redirect such subsidies towards plant based agriculture and the promotion of biodiversity, and to the general areas of ‘environment’, ‘education’ and ‘public health’.

To end the long distance transportation of live animals to or from destinations within the UK of over 200 miles, European continental destinations and further afield.

Laboratory Animals

To immediately ban the harmful use of all non-human primates in experiments.

To ban all harmful use of animals in scientific research, toxicity testing and education.

To establish an independent transparent scientific inquiry to thoroughly review the ethical, scientific and economic implications of scientific research, toxicity testing and education.

To facilitate increased funding for the development, validation and implementation of non-animal alternatives.